Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

SOUTH WEBSTER — Pitching, clutch hitting and defense were the keys for the St. Joseph Flyers.
Clay Willis pitched a three-hitter, Chase Walters and Trae Crabtree drove in runs and the defense made only one error as the Flyers beat the South Webster Jeeps 4-1 on Wednesday.
“Willis is pitching well and doing a good job in the two hole at the plate. Walters continues to hit the ball well and Crabtree is catching fire. He hits the ball hard,” said Flyers’ coach Greg Bryant.
Willis struck out 10 and walked four in 5.2 innings. Isaac Whaley finished for the save and he pitched 1.2 hitless innings.
The Flyers got a run in the first.
Jackson Rowe walked and Willis sacrificed. Whaley reached on a fielder’s choice, stole second and took third on a wild pitch. Walters had an RBI single.
St. Joseph got what proved to be the winning run in the third.
With two outs, Walters walked stole second and scored on single by Crabtree.
The Jeeps scored a run in the sixth to make it 2-1 only to have the Flyers get two insurance runs in the seventh.
Rowe was hit by a pitch, Willis singled to put runners on the corners, Willis stole second and Walters belted a two-run double.
Walters was 2-3 with three runs batted in and Crabtree 2-4 with an RBI.
The Flyers play at Symmes Valley on Thursday.
St. Joseph    101    000    2    =    4    6    1
So. Webster    000    001    0    =    1    3    1
Clay Willis, Isaac Whaley (6) and Jackson Rowe, Jimmy Mahlmeister (6). Allard, Andrews (4) and Cunningham. W-Willis (IP-5.2, H-3, K-10, BB-4, ER-0). Save-Whaley (IP (1.2, K-1). L- Allard. Hitting-SJ: Clay Willis 1-3, Chase Walters 2-3 2B 3-rbi, Trae Crabtree 2-4 rbi, Max Weber 1-1; SW: Andrews 1-2, Ruth 1-3, Holbrook 1-3.